Email

ADELAIDE, Nov 19: Shane Watson hopes to be fit to bat but will not be able bowl if selected to play in this week’s second Test against South Africa, the Australian all-rounder said on Monday.

The 31-year-old missed the drawn first Test in Brisbane last week because of a calf strain but was named in a 13-man squad for the Adelaide match, which starts on Thursday, and given a chance to prove his fitness.

“At the moment every day is just about trying to get through and hoping that my calf continues to progress really well,” he told reporters.

“At this point in time, the most important thing is to be able to run consistently without really hurting it, so bowling at this point of time is out.

“For me, it’s just getting out to run around and do the skills I need to do to be fit to play as a batsman to start with.”

Australia’s management have given conflicting messages about whether he would be considered only as a batsman for the Test against the Proteas.—Reuters